Arbor Creek e-News

Stop A Burglar: Lock Up When You Spruce Up
The Holly Springs Police Department reports that about one out of four burglaries in the city is through unlocked doors or windows. Stop these thefts. Lock up while you spruce up!
If you're out working in your garden these spring days, make sure you keep your doors locked. Carry a key with you and lock your front door and your back door. Some criminals specialize in stealing from homes when people are outside doing yard work.
When you finish with that yard work, remember to clean up and lock up behind you. When you put your rake and other tools in the shed, garage or basement, don't forget to lock the doors. An open door is an invitation to a thief. Deny criminals the opportunity to steal by securing your home and property.
And finally, if you do see anyone suspicious lurking around your neighborhood, dial 911, and let the police know. An officer can cruise through the area to check things out, and you don't need to provide your name: the call can remain confidential.

Neighborhood Awareness: The Key to Crime Prevention
Holly Springs Police are asking the public to remember that being a good neighbor can be one of the best crime prevention tools. This is particularly true at this time of the year when various criminals and con artists use the warm weather to take advantage of the elderly. Watchful eyes in the neighborhood can spot criminals and alert police and the community to their presence.
Spring is the time when "deception burglars" reappear in this region. Typically these are criminals on the move who begin working in the southern states and head north during the spring and summer to New England.
Deception burglars generally work in pairs. One member approaches the victim, pretending to be someone benevolent: perhaps a contractor looking for work or a utility worker out to test a system. The criminal may also pose as a family friend of a relative, or the friend of a neighbor. While that criminal distracts the victim, another moves through the house, seeking out valuables. Often the victim doesn't even know he or she has been victimized for hours or days.
Other criminals are con men, posing as contractors, who convince victims something is wrong with their home. They ask for payment in cash, do a shoddy job, and then disappear.
The elderly are the most likely targets of these criminals, since they tend to be trusting, and very concerned about their property, their relatives and their neighborhood.
Local residents can help their elderly neighbors by checking in on them, and keeping an eye on them. If, for example, a neighbor sees an elderly resident in conversation with a stranger, they could politely inquire about what is going on. If residents see strangers sizing up their neighbors' home, which could also be a sign something is wrong. In that case, a call to 911 will get an officer to the scene to check things out.
Involvement such as this builds stronger bonds between neighbors, and helps maintain safe neighborhoods.

Sheds and Garages: Lock 'Em Up
The Holly Springs Police Department wants to remind residents to lock their sheds and garages. Officials say the best deterrent to keep thieves from stealing your property is a lock and key. Don't assume you are safe from these unwanted people just because you are at home.
Oftentimes, burglars watch and wait to see where you are and what you are doing. Sheds and garages are often left open and unattended as we do yard work or other outdoor activities. The thief is counting on us to become lax in our security.
To avoid losing valuables, remember to close and lock doors to your garage, shed and home. This is especially true if you are in the front yard and the storage area is in the back. It takes almost no time for a thief to come and go with your property.
Take the time to reacquaint yourself with your old neighbors and meet the new ones. Why not suggest a neighborhood watch to protect and watch out for one another's property. Let your neighbors know when a suspicious person has been spotted in your area. Neighbors working together for each other's well-being are the foundation for a happy community.
Make life difficult for a burglar, use locks and keys to protect your property. If you see a suspicious person or notice an unusual situation around your house or that of a neighbor, call 911.